New -7 R44 blades already have a NZ EAD grounding all R44s
DCA/R44/31 Prohibition of Flight - C016-7 Main Rotor Blades
Applicability All Robinson R44 series helicopters fitted with main rotor blades P/N
C016-7.
Requirement: To prevent the possibility of main rotor blade separation and
consequent loss of the helicopter, further flight is prohibited.
Compliance : Before further flight.
Note 1: Aircraft in remote locations may complete one further flight to the
nearest appropriate facility, provided that they are subject to a
detailed visual inspection of the blade skin in the region of the
outboard chord increase.
Continuing Airworthiness Notice CAN 62-003 refers.
Ensure blade is clean and inspect upper and lower surface paying
attention to defects in paint which may signify cracking.
Note 2: This Airworthiness Directive is issued as a result of initial advice from
the investigators conducting the scene investigation into a fatal R44
accident near Queenstown that occurred on 19 Feb 2015. Scene
examination suggests that the aircraft may have experienced an in-
flight main rotor blade failure similar to that reported in CAA
Continuing Airworthiness Notice 62-003. The AD will remain in place